Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Immerse your students in the rich history, art, language, and culture of central Europe. Your students will gain a richer understanding of artistic legacy and movements while seeing Matthias Church, exploring the vast collections of Schönbrunn Palace, and experience local culture during a Bavarian dance class! Your class will also reflect on the lasting impact of WWII through a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Hungary (Budapest)
Day 2
Arrive in Budapest
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 3
Budapest guided sightseeing tour
Discover Budapest with a local guide, starting with a ride on the Castle Hill funicular to the Royal Palace in historic Buda. See the Hungarian Parliament lined with 90 statues, then visit Matthias Church, known for its vivid painted interior, before taking in sweeping views from Fisherman’s Bastion.
Optional
Szechenyi Thermal Baths visit (optional)
The Szechenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest is a Neo-Baroque complex built in 1913. It features 18 pools, including indoor and outdoor thermal pools fed by natural hot springs. The mineral-rich waters are renowned for their therapeutic properties, and the bath offers additional facilities such as saunas, steam rooms, and outdoor chess areas where locals often gather to play, making it a popular destination for relaxation and health treatments.
Day 4
Travel to Vienna via Bratislava
Bratislava city walk
Hlavne Namestie town square, Michael’s Gate, Cumil Statue
Day 5
Vienna guided sightseeing tour
Explore Vienna’s imperial past with a guided visit to the Hofburg, the historic seat of the Habsburgs. Continue to the elegant Belvedere Palace before viewing the famed Vienna Opera House. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of the city, then end your tour at Schönbrunn Palace, where young Mozart once performed for Marie Antoinette.
Optional
Mozart concert (optional)
Experience the best of classical music composed by Salzburg’s child prodigy, the great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Get lost in the uplifting, complex melodies as you imagine the musical master crafting ingenious violin and piano concertos at the unripe age of 17. With spiritual undertones to the youthful carefree finales, this live concert is a cultural treat for your ears and spirit.
Day 6
Travel to Prague via Cesky Krumlov
En route to Prague, walk the 13th century streets of Cesky Krumlov, situated on the banks of the Vltava River in the Czech Republic. Explore its medieval castle (open seasonally, April-October) and see how its architecture evolved over the centuries through Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Cesky Krumlov Castle visit
Ceský Krumlov Castle is one of the Czech Republic’s most remarkable landmarks, showcasing a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Dating back to the 13th century, it features grand halls, ornate interiors, and one of Europe’s best-preserved Baroque theaters. Climb the Castle Tower for panoramic views of the town and Vltava River, and wander through courtyards and gardens that reveal centuries of history. While some sections close from November to March, highlights like the Castle Museum and Tower remain open.
Day 7
Prague guided sightseeing tour
Explore Prague with a guided tour of Old Town Square and its famous Astronomical Clock, where carved figures appear each hour. Walk across Charles Bridge with views of the Vltava and the city’s spires, then stop at the John Lennon Peace Wall. Finish at Prague Castle, a vast complex of courtyards and palaces that once housed the Habsburgs.
Prague city walk
Feel the inspiration behind Franz Kafka’s novels as you wander the medieval streets of Mala Strana. Continue into Josefov, the Jewish Quarter, to see Europe’s oldest synagogue, which dates back to 1270.
Day 8
Travel to Munich via Dachau
Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit
Dachau, the first of Nazi Germany’s concentration camps, became the model for thousands that followed. Now a memorial and museum, it honors the 206,000 prisoners held here from 1933 to 1945 and traces the rise of the Nazi party, pre-1930s anti-Semitism, and the lives of those imprisoned.
Bavarian bratwurst dinner
Enjoy Bavarian- or Berlin-style sausage with traditional sides. Bavarian sausage is made from veal and pork back bacon, while the Berlin style features fried pork.
Day 9
Munich guided sightseeing tour
Join a licensed guide for a whirlwind look at Munich, from its medieval heart to modern landmarks. Stroll through Marienplatz to see the Neues Rathaus and its famous Glockenspiel, framed by the twin towers of the Frauenkirche. Visit the Residenz, then explore Olympiapark, built for the 1972 Games, and step into BMW Welt to experience innovation and sleek design.
LEAP
LEAP Debate the Great
Meet six influential figures from Germany’s history, then join a lively debate to argue their accomplishments and decide together who deserves the title of greatest German.
Traditional Bavarian dance class
Discover the links between traditional dance and Bavarian history. Listen and learn Bavarian music while participating in ancient folklore storytelling. You'll also learn (and demonstrate) a variety of traditional dance steps taught by local experts.
Day 10
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Berlin
Discover Berlin's rich history and iconic landmarks, including the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag building, and the historic Unter den Linden boulevard, before heading home.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Budapest, Vienna, Prague & Munich
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.